Black Tie Guan Yin, Famous Chinese Oolong Tea

Black Tie Guan Yin is one of the rarest types of Oolong. Black Tie Guan Yin is made by roasting fresh tea leaves with specialised techniques in furnaces. The furnaces are made out of clay. The tea leaves are roasted by very old methods, using special infusion techniques, which of course is kept very secretive.

Production
Tea leaves for cooking Black Tie Guan Yin look a little different from the classic Tie Guan Yin. When the leaves are ready to harvest, the edges are slightly reddened and they seem to roll up into a tube. The leaves are thinner and shorter than the usual Tie Guan Yin.

Two weeks prior to harvest tea farmers begin to soak wood in a special infusion. Later on, the wood and the tea are roasted together, with the wood transpiring its aroma into the tea leaves.

Characteristics
Black Tie Guan Yin has an amazing aroma and aftertaste all stemming from this important smoking process on the wooden blocks.

Aroma: gentle, sweet and at the same time smoky.

Infusion: light yellow on the first brew. With each brew the infusion becomes darker and thicker. The fourth or fifth brew is the peak of the tea’s flavour, becoming more tart, rich, vibrant.

Taste: soft, slightly sweet.

Medicinal Properties
Black Tie Guan Yin has the same beneficial qualities as regular Tie Guan Yin. It makes one more active and improves concentration. It normalizes blood pressure, promotes the natural regulation of metabolism, and detoxifies. Furthermore, it is effective in preventing the occurrence of tumors. And at the same time, it is a good preventive measure for those wishing to lose weight.

How to brew it?
1. Suitable for brewing in a Gaiwan or flask.
2. Pour boiling water over the teaware to warm it up.
3. Put 8-10 grams of tea leaves per 100-120 ml water.
4. Infuse the tea leaves with boiling water (100 degrees) and wait for 15-20 seconds.
5. The first brew is designed to wash the tea leaves, and should be thrown out.
6. The second steep can be made after a few seconds to around 20 seconds, depending on one's taste. (The shorter the brewing time, the more steeps the tea can endure). This tea can be brewed 7-8 times.